Thomas w



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model) T. W. HOUCHIN..

GAS LIGHTING TORCH.

Patented Feb.27,1888.

(-No Model.) 2A Sheets-Sheet-2.

T..W. HOUCHIN. GAS LIGHTING TORCH.

-N0. 273,085. i Patented Eeb.2'7,1883.`

NA PETERS Phclo-Lhhographln Washingen. D. C.

NrryED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

GAS-LIGHTING TORCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 273,085, dated February 27, 1883.

Application filed November 18. 1882. (No model.)

To all whom t't may concern: Y

Be it known that I, THoMAs W. HoUcnIN, of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and 4useful Improvements in Gas-Lighting Torches; and I do hereby declare that the followingmis a full, clear, and eXact description ofthe invention,which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this speciiication.

Figure l is an elevation of the torch. Fig. Zuris a vertical section of the key-tube. Fig.3 is a perspective View ofthe taper-holder. Fig. et is a detail View, showing the swivel-joint in the tubes. Fig. 5 is anelevationhof the taperholder. Fi g. 6 is a perspective detail, showing one method of 4making the flexible key'rod. Figs.7 and S show some of the divergences and curvatures ofthe ends of the tubes and various positions into which they may be turned.

This invention relates to improvements in gas-lighting torches, and has for its object the production of a device which can be employed to light a jet or turn a cock in whatever position they may be.

The inventionconsists primarily in a torch having jointed taper and key tubes, and also in certain details of construction which will be hereinafter set forth.

In the annexed drawings, the letter A indicates the torch, having the main or stationary handle aand the taper key tubesB and C, these being firmly connected to the handle a, back to back, and soldered their entire contacted lengths. Atthe point a these tubes diverge, their ends bande havingacurvature, as shown, the amount of divergence and curvature varyingin different torches. Each tube has a joint, u, in its end b c suchjoint havingaconstruction, that enables the extreme portion b c to be turned completely around, and to be placed at any angle with the stem portions b2 c2 of the tubes. In Fig. 4 is shown one form of joint, though various kinds may be used. On the outer end of the stem b2 is made a collar, n', and below a ring, n2, is secured, forming a recess, na. Thelower end, @of the portion b is made with a circular projection, forming an interior annular recess, 19. The collar n its in this recess p, and the tip of the portion b ts in therecess n3. This forms a swivel-joint capable of free rotary movement. L The taper tube B has on its under side an openingor slot, m, its entire length, except at its extreme end, where it is closed by a collar, m. Within the tube B is the taper-holder D, its thumb-piece el projecting through the slot m. This holder has the shape shown in Figs. 3 and 5. It may be made of wire and bent into shape, or thejaws may be made separate and the thumb-piece be soldered thereto; but I prefer to make this of metal stamped out and struck up into shape, forming the thumb-piece d and the clamping-jaws d d2. One ofthese, cZ/,is shorter than the other, so that its notched end d3 comes inside of the other, d4. This holder is put in place, and the collar m being fastened on keeps it from coming out. The holder D is run up to the end of the tube B untilthe jaws die? project. The end of the ltaper E is put between them, as shown in Fig. 3, and the holder is then slid inward. The jaws passing into the tube are compressed together, biting and holding the taper fast and beyond danger of being loosed.

Passing through-the key-tube C is the keyoperating rod F, secured at one end to the movable handle G, and carrying at its other end the key Ei. This rod is made iexiblc, so as to be adapted to the curvature of the tube l -C. It inay be made with lexiblejoints f for a portion of its length,where it passes through the curved portion of the tube, or it may be made of some flexible material-such as-an elastic rod, as shown in Fig. S--as I do not propose to confine myself to any special construction. The key H carried by this rod is made 9o by stamping. The key ordinarily used is made of heavy cast metal, brass or other, and is liable to break the glass shades. This key is made of wire twisted and then stamped up into the jaws y, or it may be made of thin sheet- 95 "1netal,therebyinsuringlightness with strength. The stationary handle a is hollow, as shown, and can be used for a match-receptacle, a door,

a?, being made to give admittance.

In Figs. 7 and 8 are shown several of the roo positions into which the end portions, b c', of

the taperand key tubes can be turned.l These various positions adapt the torch for various uses. The taper can he used for lighting` ajet above a shade and under a shade, also when the jetisin a chandelier oraside bracket. Thekey can be used for operating a cock either from below or at one side, and in whatever position the jet or cock maybe this device can be employed. y

p In using this device for turning a cock the portion c is turned to the proper position so that the key H can readily grasp the cock. The handle G is thus turned in the proper direction, operating the rod and key and turning` the cock.

n Having thus described my invention, what I claim isl. A gas-lighting torch jointed as described.

2. A bent gas-lighting torch having a joint in the bend, whereby its end can be turned into Various positions, as set forth.

3. A gas-1ighting torch in which the taper or key tube, or both, is provided with a joint, whereby the device is adapted for use in Whatever position the jet or cock may be, as set forth.

4. In a gas-lighting torch, the key-tube, in combination with a iexible red which passes through said tube and carries the key, as set forth.

5. The key-tube C, in combination With the movable handle G, the exible rod F, and the key H, as set forth.

6. ln a gas-light torch, the operatingkey made of wire stamped into shape, as .and for the purpose set forth.

7. In a gas-lighting torch, the taper-holder D, having spring-j aWs dd2,in combination with the taper-tube, the holder resting,` in and adapted to slidein the said tube, whereby the springjaws are pressed together, as set forth.

'8. The taper-holder D, having1 the springjaws fl d2, one of which is shorter than the other, as set forth.

In testimony that l claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature in the presence ot' two witnesses.

i THGMAS W. HUUGHIN. Witnesses:

GEO. F. GRAHAM, WM. M. SMITH. 

